Electronic device and operating method using bluetooth

ABSTRACT

A Bluetooth pairing method in an electronic device is provided. The method includes detecting a change of a switching state of a switch of the electronic device, selecting a Bluetooth Device (BD) address according to the changed switching state among a plurality of stored BD addresses, and applying the selected BD address to a Bluetooth pairing. The method can facilitate Bluetooth pairing to selectable types of host devices.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/641,505 filed on Jul. 5, 2017 which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/367,476 filed on Dec. 2, 2016 and assigned U.S.Pat. No. 9,826,566 issued on Nov. 21, 2017 which claims the benefit ofthe earlier U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/056,276 filed on Oct.17, 2013 and assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,521,535 Issued on Dec. 13, 2016which claims, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), priority to and thebenefit of the earlier filing date of a Korean Patent Application filedin the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Oct. 19, 2012 and assignedSerial No. 10-2012-0116711, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device that can easilyestablish a Bluetooth pairing with a peer device.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the advances in computing and telecommunications in recent years,portable wireless terminals such as smartphones, cell phones, electronicorganizers, tablet PCs, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), etc. havebecome necessities of modern life as an important means for deliveringinformation which changes rapidly. Contemporary portable terminalsprovide various multimedia services in addition to traditional telephonyfunctions.

In this environment, a Bluetooth communication technique has drawnattention in recent years. Bluetooth is a near field wirelesscommunication technology defined as a standard by which variouselectronic devices and information communication devices are connectedand controlled in a wireless fashion within a radius of 10 to 100 meters(m). When a wireless network is configured through Bluetooth, data canbe freely exchanged between paired information devices. For example,data can be wirelessly exchanged at a high speed using a radio frequencybetween paired information devices (e.g., a computer, a printer, amobile phone, a PDA, etc., used in home or an office) and also between avariety of digital home appliances equipped with Bluetoothfunctionality.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the presently disclosed technology is to provide anelectronic device for easily establishing a Bluetooth pairing with apeer device.

Another aspect is to provide an electronic device for storing aplurality of Bluetooth Device (BD) addresses.

Still another aspect to provide an electronic device for storing aplurality of BD addresses, for selecting a specific BD address by usinga switch manipulated by a user, and for applying the selected BD addressto a Bluetooth pairing.

In an exemplary embodiment, a Bluetooth pairing method in an electronicdevice includes detecting a change of a switching state of a switch ofthe electronic device. A BD address is selected according to the changedswitching state among a plurality of stored BD addresses. The selectedBD address is applied to a Bluetooth pairing.

The method may further include removing a Bluetooth pairing with aspecific host device which registers a previous BD address used beforethe selection. Further still, the method may include establishing aBluetooth pairing with a specific host device which registers theselected BD address.

An embodiment of an electronic device includes a Bluetooth communicationunit that establishes a Bluetooth pairing, a switching unit that changesa switching state, and a host unit to change a BD address of theBluetooth communication unit for the Bluetooth pairing in response tothe change in switching of the switching unit.

The electronic device may further include at least one of the followingelements and features:

A memory for storing a plurality of BD addresses.

The host unit may change the BD address, and remove the Bluetoothpairing between the Bluetooth communication unit and a specific hostelectronic device which registers a previous BD address used before thechange.

The host unit may change the BD address, and control the Bluetoothpairing between the Bluetooth communication unit and a specific hostelectronic device which registers the changed BD address.

The switching unit may be disposed on an external portion of a body,which forms an outer appearance of the electronic device, and allow auser's manipulation.

The switching unit may include a slide bar which is movable on the body,and change at least two switching states according to a positionmovement of the slide bar.

The switching unit may include a toggle switch.

An input unit may be included for generating an input signal or controlsignal transmitted to a Bluetooth-paired host electronic device via theBluetooth communication unit.

An output unit for outputting a video signal or audio signal receivedfrom a Bluetooth-paired host electronic device via the Bluetoothcommunication unit may be included.

The electronic device can be a wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, or awireless speaker.

An embodiment of a keyboard includes a keypad unit constructed with keysto output input signals when the keys are pressed by a user, and aswitching unit capable of changing a switching state by a user'smanipulation. The keyboard includes a memory; a processor,communicatively connected to the keypad unit, the switching unit and aBluetooth communication unit. The processor retrieves one of a pluralityof Bluetooth Device (BD) addresses stored in the memory corresponding tothe switching state of the switching unit, and changes a BD address fora Bluetooth pairing according to a change of the switching state. TheBluetooth communication unit transmits input signals from the keypadunit to a specific Bluetooth-paired host device under control of theprocessor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present technology will be more apparentfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate the concept of a pairing betweenBluetooth electronic devices according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a keyboardaccording to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts illustrating respectiveoperations of a keyboard according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present technology will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, well-known functions or constructions are not described indetail to avoid obscuring the present technology in unnecessary detail.Further, some terms used herein may differ from their ordinary usage.Therefore, the terms used herein should be understood on the basis ofthe description throughout this specification.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the concept of a pairing between Bluetoothelectronic devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the presenttechnology.

A host electronic device (e.g., a Television (TV) 1, a mobile phone 2,etc.) searches for a neighbor electronic device (e.g., a keyboard 100,etc.) for performing a pairing between electronic devices. The Bluetoothdevices need to be paired to configure a wireless network throughBluetooth. A pairing is defined as an operation in which a device andits peer device to be connected mutually recognize their presence.

In general, the host electronic device (hereafter, “device”) searchesfor a neighbor device by using a well-known Service Discovery Profile(SDP). Here, the host and neighbor devices exchange a Bluetooth Device(BD) address (e.g., 00:11:22:33:44:55) and a device name. In the presentexample, when the TV 1 or phone 2 searches and discovers the keyboard100, the BD address sent by the keyboard 100 is a unique identificationassigned to it. The device name may be a serial number of the keyboard100.

When the host device receives the BD address of the neighbor device, itregisters the address. In one pre-set scheme, if the neighbor device isfound through a search operation, the host device can be automaticallypaired with the neighbor device. In one implementation, the host deviceand the neighbor device registered to the host device can beautomatically paired without having to receive a separate authenticationsuch as a passkey based on a Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) which is inputfrom a user.

As will be explained further below, keyboard 100 includes a manualswitch (switching unit 170) to enable a rapid manual selection betweenBluetooth devices, in accordance with an embodiment. The switching unit170 can move a slide bar 171 to two or more positions. According to themovement of the slide bar 171, a processor changes a connection state bychanging a BD address. A memory stores a plurality of BD addresses, andthe processor selects a specific BD address according to a switchingstate of the switching unit 170 for Bluetooth pairing with a host devicethat registers the new address. For instance, in FIG. 1A, the slide bar171 is slid to a first position (“TV”) for Bluetooth pairing with the TV1, whereupon the TV 1 registers a first BD address provided by thekeyboard 100 and Bluetooth communication with the TV 1 is performed.User inputs on keyboard 100 are then converted to commands controllingthe TV 1. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the slide bar 171 is slidto a second position “P” corresponding to a phone, Bluetoothcommunication is switched to the phone 2, via the use of a second BDaddress provided by the keyboard 100. The phone 2 can then be controlledvia inputs to keyboard 100.

When the switching unit 170 switch is switched to the “TV” position,keyboard 100 retrieves the first BD address from memory and advertisesitself with the first BD address for Bluetooth pairing. In this case, inorder for a Bluetooth connection to proceed with a TV but not with aphone, keyboard 100 takes appropriate measures. For instance, when theswitch is in the TV position, the keyboard employs software that doesnot permit its use with a phone. Thus when a phone attempts to make aBluetooth connection under this condition, the keyboard 100 softwaredoes not permit it. For example, when the switch is in the TV position,the keyboard advertises itself as a device that is compatible with a TVbut not compatible with a phone. Similarly, when the switch is in the“P” position, keyboard 100 retrieves a second BD address from memory forBluetooth communication, and can identify itself with this secondaddress as a different device. That is, it advertises itself as adifferent device does not permit Bluetooth pairing with a TV hostdevice, but only with a phone host device. In this manner, user inputsto the keyboard 100 will control the phone 2, but not the TV 1.

In a particular embodiment, the keyboard 100 includes a body 11, akeypad unit 130, a speaker unit 150, an external port unit 160, and aswitching unit 170. The body 11 forms an outer appearance of keyboard 11in e.g., a quadrangular plate shape, and is a housing for internalelectronics. The body 11 can be divided into an upper body 111 and alower body 112, and is formed by molding.

The keypad unit 130 arranges a plurality of keys 131, for example,number keys, character keys, symbol keys, etc. Keypad unit 130 isdisposed beneath the buttons 131, and includes a circuit board (notshown) contained in the body 11. The keypad unit 130 is joined to thebody 11, and the keys 131 are exposed. When the keys 131 are pressed bythe user, the circuit board handles signals corresponding to the pressedkeys.

The keys 131 may be a well-known membrane or pantograph type. Amembrane-type key includes a keycap, a rubber done, and a key electrode.The pantograph type includes a keycap, a rubber done, and a keyelectrode.

The circuit board includes a Bluetooth communication unit (item 140 inFIG. 2) for Bluetooth communication. The Bluetooth communication unitincludes software and hardware constituent elements to enable theBluetooth communication, and for example, includes a chip for processinga radio signal and an antenna for transmitting and receiving the radiosignal. The Bluetooth communication unit is assigned a BD address forthe keyboard 100, for a Bluetooth pairing with the host device.

The audio unit 150 outputs an audio signal received from the paired hostdevice. In addition, the audio unit 150 comprises a speaker 151 and anearphone connector 152.

The external port unit 160 can connect an external memory to the circuitboard to transfer data to each other. The circuit board can transmit thedata of the external memory to the host device. The circuit board maytransfer data received from the host device into the external memory forstorage.

The switching unit 170 is electrically connected to the circuit board,and is exposed at a suitable place in the body 11. The switching unit170 includes a manual slide bar 171 movable to two or more positions.According to the movement of the slide bar 171, a circuit changes aswitching state. In particular, if the switching state changes accordingto the movement of the slide bar 171, a circuit board processor changesa BD address. A memory stores a plurality of BD addresses, and theprocessor selects a specific BD address according to a switching stateof the switching unit 170. The processor provides the selected BDaddress to the Bluetooth communication unit to be used as the current BDaddress of keyboard 100 in the Bluetooth pairing with the host device.

The body 11 forms a slide groove 114 for guiding a movement of the slidebar 171. Marks 172 and 173 for indicating a movement position of theslide bar 171 are printed on the surface of the body 11. The marks 172and 173 indicate selectable host devices to be paired.

If the slide bar 171 of the switching unit 170 is moved to a position ofthe first mark 172 (i.e., TV), the processor applies a first BD address.In this case, the TV 1 which registers the first BD address is pairedwith the keyboard 100. If the slide bar 171 is moved to a position ofthe second mark 173 (i.e., “P” for phone), the processor applies asecond BD address. In this case, the mobile phone 2 which registers thesecond BD address is paired with the keyboard 100. If the BD address ischanged, a connection with a host device paired by using a previous BDaddress (used before change) is removed. When the BD address is changed,the processor prepares a pairing with a host device which conforms tothe changed BD address. For instance, if the switch is in the TVposition, the processor may prevent a non-TV host device such as a phonefrom establishing a Bluetooth pairing, while allowing a Bluetoothpairing with a host device identifying itself as a TV. The switchingunit 170 is not limited to the aforementioned method of moving the slidebar 171, and thus can be implemented in various manners. For example,the switching unit 170 may alternatively be a toggle switch.

Accordingly, the user can effectively and rapidly establish a pairingwith a desired host device by simply moving the slide bar 171 of theswitching unit 170.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example structure of akeyboard 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Keyboard 100 maycommunicate with a host device (e.g., a mobile phone, a mobile pad, amedia player, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, or a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA)) through Bluetooth, transmit a key input signalto the host device, and receive an output signal from the host device.

The keyboard 100 includes a host unit 110, a keypad unit 130, aBluetooth communication unit 140, an audio unit 150, an external portunit 160, and a switching unit 170. The external port unit 160 may eachbe plural in number.

The host unit 110 includes an internal memory 111, one or moreprocessors 112, and an interface 113. The internal memory 111, the oneor more processors 112, and the interface 113 may be separate elementsor may be configured in one or more Integrated Circuits (ICs).

The processor 112 performs several functions for the keyboard 100 byexecuting various software programs, and processes and controls datacommunication. Further, in addition to typical functions, the processor112 executes a software module (or an instruction set) stored in theinternal memory 111 and/or the external memory unit (not shown) and thusperforms various functions corresponding to the module. That is, theprocessor 112 performs the method according to the exemplary embodimentof the present invention by interworking with the software module storedin the internal memory 111 and/or the external memory unit. That is, ifa switching state is changed by the switching unit 170, the processor112 changes a BD address stored in the internal memory 111 or theexternal memory unit, and sends the changed BD address to Bluetoothcommunication unit 140 for a Bluetooth pairing with the host device. Theexternal memory unit can include a fast random access memory such as oneor more magnetic storage devices and/or a non-volatile memory, one ormore optical storage devices, and/or a flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR).The external memory unit stores a software element. The software elementrefers to a module including a set of instructions (or an instructionset). In addition, the external memory unit can be used to store aplurality of BD addresses.

The interface 113 connects the host unit 110 to several elements of thekeyboard 100.

The keypad unit 130 consists of a plurality of keys, and transmits asignal to the host unit 110 according to a key pressed by the user. Thehost unit 110 transmits a signal, which is received from the keypad unit130, to the paired host device via the Bluetooth communication unit 140.

The Bluetooth communication unit 140 includes software and hardwareconstituent elements for the Bluetooth communication, and for example,includes a chip for processing a radio signal and an antenna fortransmitting and receiving the radio signal. The host unit 110 assignsto the Bluetooth communication unit 140 the BD address for the Bluetoothpairing with the selected type of host device.

The audio unit 150 produces audio output via the speaker and theearphone connector. The audio unit 150 receives a data signal from thehost unit 110, converts the received data signal into an electronicsignal, and outputs the converted electronic signal via the speaker orthe earphone connector.

The external port unit 160 may connect an external memory. The externalport unit 160 may connect a charging device for charging of the keyboard100. The host unit 110 and the external memory are connected through theexternal port unit 160, and can transmit data to each other. The hostunit 110 can transmit the data of the external memory to the hostdevice. In addition, the host unit 110 may store data received from thehost device paired through the Bluetooth communication unit 140 into theexternal memory.

The switching unit 170 allows the user to change the connection state,by changing the switching state thereof.

Keyboard 100 can also be equipped with a small display unit (not shown)for outputting still image and/or video signals, and to facilitateoperations.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of keyboard 100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. At theoutset of the operation, it is assumed that keyboard 100 may or may nothave already established a Bluetooth connection with a first hostdevice, and if it has been established, a current BD address wasassigned to keyboard 100 for that connection. If there is no connection(e.g., if the first host device is turned off, or if the keyboard 100location has moved outside the range of the first host device or viceversa), then the processor 112 nevertheless maintains the current BDaddress in memory.

In step 301, the processor 112 determines whether a switching statecorresponding to a desired connection state is changed by the switchingunit 170. If the switching state is changed, processor 112 changes thekeyboard 100's BD address for Bluetooth communication in step 303.Otherwise, the processor 112 maintains the current BD address in step305.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of keyboard 100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In step401, processor 112 establishes a Bluetooth pairing with a host device.Next, in step 403, the processor 112 determines whether the BD addressshould be changed by detecting whether the switching state (e.g., switchposition between “TV” and “P”) of the switching unit 170 has changed. Ifso, the processor 112 changes the BD address accordingly.

If the BD address is changed, the processor 112 removes the Bluetoothpairing with the host device in step 405. Otherwise, processor 112maintains the Bluetooth pairing with the host device in step 407.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a keyboard accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In step 501, theprocessor 112 changes a BD address according to a switching statechanged by the switching unit 170. When the BD address is thus changed,Bluetooth communication unit 140 transmits Bluetooth signals whichidentify keyboard 100 differently, i.e., with the changed BD address.Next, in step 503, the processor 112 identifies whether there is aBluetooth pairing request from a host device, with respect to thechanged BD address. If so, in step 505, the processor 112 establishes aBluetooth pairing with the target host device, provided that the hostdevice conforms to the type of device (e.g., TV or phone) associatedwith the switching state.

Otherwise, if there is no Bluetooth pairing request from the desiredtype of host device, the procedure of FIG. 5 ends.

In the above exemplary embodiments, the plurality of BD addresses storedin memory correspond to different BD addresses the keyboard 100associates with itself during a Bluetooth pairing process. In analternative embodiment, keyboard 100 always uses the same BD address foritself, but changes BD addresses that it compares with BD addresses ofhost devices. For example, in a set-up mode, keyboard 100 gathers BDaddresses of various specific host devices that it may be allowed toconnect to. In a simple example, keyboard 100 obtains a first BD addressof a specific TV and a second BD address of a specific phone that theuser places in vicinity to the keyboard. These BD addresses are thenstored in the internal or external memories. Thereafter, whenever theswitching unit 170 is switched to the TV position, keyboard 100 utilizesonly the first BD address to communicate with any potential host device.Then, a Bluetooth pairing is permitted only when a potential host deviceidentifies itself with the first BD address. This prevents other devicessuch as phones or other TVs from receiving unintended commands from thekeyboard 100. When the switching unit 170 is switched to the “P”position, keyboard 100 drops the connection with the TV associated withthe first BD address, and the keyboard attempts to discover a phonedevice that identifies itself with the second BD address.

It is noted, in the alternative embodiment just described, in whichkeyboard 100 does not change its own BD address, a plurality of BDaddresses corresponding to particular host devices are pre-stored in theinternal memory 110 and/or external memory (not shown). These BDaddresses can be obtained in a number of ways. In one implementation, auser may manually enter the BD addresses, and manually enter default BDaddresses for e.g., a default TV and a default phone, to deal withsituations where multiple TVs or phones might be within Bluetoothcommunication range of the keyboard 100. In another implementation, whenthe keyboard 100 is used for the first time, it will search for aBluetooth-capable TV with the highest signal strength, and attempt topair with that TV. If pairing is successful, the keyboard will assumethat that TV is the intended one, and will obtain its BD address andstore it as a default BD address for a TV in memory. A similar operationis performed to select a default phone with a corresponding BD address.In this manner, if multiple phones are in the vicinity of the keyboard,and the switching state of the switching unit 170 is switched to “P”,keyboard 100 will attempt to pair with the default phone using theoriginally obtained BD address.

In the above exemplary embodiments, although a keyboard is described asan example of an input means, the present invention is not limitedthereto. Thus, an electronic device (e.g., a wireless earphone, awireless mouse, a wireless speaker, etc.) that can be paired with a hostdevice can also perform the procedures of FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, and includeconstituent elements thereof. Although the electronic device may have astructure differing from that of FIG. 2, an electronic device of thepresent invention may commonly consist of elements corresponding to thehost unit 110, the Bluetooth communication unit 140, and the switchingunit 170.

For example, the wireless earphone may comprise a host unit, a Bluetoothcommunication unit, a switching unit, and a speaker unit which areconfigured on at least one circuit board. The switching unit is placedin a suitable position in the wireless earphone, and changes theswitching state of the circuit board to an intended host deviceconnection state according to a user's manipulation. The host unitdetects that the switching state is changed by the switching unit, andchanges a BD address assigned to the Bluetooth communication unit. Thespeaker unit outputs an audio signal received from the Bluetooth-pairedhost device.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, anelectronic device can change a Bluetooth Device (BD) address by using aswitch manipulated by a user, and can automatically establish aBluetooth pairing with a host device which registers the changed BDaddress, thereby providing user convenience.

Methods based on the embodiments disclosed in this document can beimplemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whenimplemented in software, computer readable recording medium for storingone or more programs (i.e., software modules) can be provided. The oneor more programs stored in the computer readable recording medium areconfigured for execution performed by one or more processors in anelectronic device such as a Bluetooth-capable device or a portableterminal. The one or more programs include instructions for allowing theelectronic device to execute the methods based on the embodimentsdisclosed in this document.

The program (i.e., the software module or software) can be stored in arandom access memory, a non-volatile memory including a flash memory, aRead Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read OnlyMemory (EEPROM), a magnetic disc storage device, a Compact Disc-ROM(CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) or other forms of opticalstorage devices, and a magnetic cassette. Alternatively, the program canbe stored in a memory configured in combination of all or some of thesestorage media. In addition, the memory configured may be plural innumber. Any of the functions and steps provided in the Figures may beimplemented in hardware, software or a combination of both and may beperformed in whole or in part within the programmed instructions of acomputer. No claim element herein is to be construed under theprovisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element isexpressly recited using the phrase “means for”.

Further, the program can be stored in an attachable storage devicecapable of accessing the electronic device through a communicationnetwork such as the Internet, an Intranet, a Local Area Network (LAN), aWide LAN (WLAN), or a Storage Area Network (SAN) or a communicationnetwork configured by combining the networks. The storage device can beaccessed by an electronic device via an external port.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable electronic device comprising: an inputdevice; wireless communication circuitry capable of supporting awireless connection; a switch to select a first external device or asecond external device in response to a single input received via theswitch; and a processor adapted to: establish, using the wirelesscommunication circuitry, the wireless connection with the first externaldevice if the single input corresponds to the first external device;establish, using the wireless communication circuitry, the wirelessconnection with the second external device if the single inputcorresponds to the second external device; receive another input via theinput device after the establishing of the wireless connection with acorresponding external device of the first external device and thesecond external device; transmit, via the wireless connection, a firstcommand generated in response to the other input to the first externaldevice if the wireless connection is established with the first externaldevice and not with the second external device; and transmit, via thewireless connection, a second command generated in response to the otherinput to the second external device if the wireless connection isestablished with the second external device and not with the firstexternal device.
 2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe input device comprises a keypad including one or more keys.
 3. Theportable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises aslide bar movable between a first position and a second position, andwherein the processor is adapted to: select, in response to the singleinput, the first external device if the slide bar is located in thefirst position; and select, in response to the single input, the secondexternal device if the slide bar is located in the second position. 4.The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor isadapted to: if another wireless connection using the wirelesscommunication circuitry exists between the portable electronic deviceand other external device of the first external device and the secondexternal device that is not selected, release the other wirelessconnection in response to the first user input.
 5. The portableelectronic device of claim 1, further comprising a memory to store firstidentification information corresponding to the first external device,and second identification information corresponding to the secondexternal device, wherein the processor is adapted to: establish thewireless connection using corresponding identification information ofthe first identification information and the second identificationinformation based at least in part on the single input.
 6. The portableelectronic device of claim 1, further comprising an output device,wherein the processor is adapted to: display an indication indicative ofthe wireless connection via the output device.
 7. An apparatuscomprising: one or more keys; wireless communication circuitry capableof supporting a wireless connection; a switch to receive a first userinput corresponding to a selection of a first external device or asecond external device; and a processor adapted to: establish, using thewireless communication circuitry, the wireless connection with the firstexternal device if the first user input corresponds to the firstexternal device; establish, using the wireless communication circuitry,the wireless connection with the second external device if the firstuser input corresponds to the second external device; receive a seconduser input via at least one key of the one or more keys; if the wirelessconnection is established with the first external device and not withthe second external device, transmit a signal corresponding to thesecond user input to the first external device such that a first commandis to be performed by the first external device based at least in parton the signal; and if the wireless connection is established with thesecond external device and not with the first external device, transmitthe signal corresponding to the second user input to the second externaldevice such that a second command is to be performed by the secondexternal device based at least in part on the signal.
 8. The apparatusof claim 7, wherein the processor is adapted to: if another wirelessconnection using the wireless communication circuitry exists between theapparatus and other external device of the first external device and thesecond external device that is not selected, release the other wirelessconnection in response to the first user input.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the switch comprises a toggle switch, and wherein theprocessor is adapted to: select, in response to the first user input,the first external device if the toggle switch corresponds to a firststate; and select, in response to the first user input, the secondexternal device if the toggle switch corresponds to a second state. 10.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is adapted to: obtainfirst identification information from the first external device, andsecond identification information from the second external device priorto the establishing.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising amemory, wherein the processor is adapted to: store the firstidentification information in the memory based at least in part on adetermination that a strength of a signal received from the firstexternal device falls within a specified range; and store the secondidentification information in the memory based at least in part on adetermination that the strength of the signal received from the secondexternal device falls within the specified range.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the processor is adapted to: perform the transmittingof the signal such that a character, a number, or a symbol correspondingto the signal is displayed via a corresponding external device of thefirst external device and the second external device as the second userinput is received at the apparatus.
 13. The apparatus of claim 7,further comprising a speaker, wherein the processor is adapted to:reproduce, via the speaker, content received from a correspondingexternal device of the first external device and the second externaldevice.
 14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is adaptedto: as at least part of the transmitting, perform a first functioncompatible to the first external device if first external device isselected or perform a second function compatible to the second externaldevice if the second external device is selected.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the first function is not compatible with the secondexternal device, and the second function is not compatible with thefirst external device.
 16. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprisingan interface to connect with a storage device external to the apparatus,wherein the processor is adapted to: obtain data from the storage devicevia the interface; and transmit the data to a corresponding externaldevice of the first external device and the second external device. 17.The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an output device, whereinthe processor is adapted to: display an indication indicative of thewireless connection via the output device.
 18. An apparatus comprising:one or more keys; communication circuitry capable of supporting awireless connection; a switch to receive a first user inputcorresponding to a selection of a first external device or a secondexternal device; and a processor adapted to: establish, using thecommunication circuitry, the wireless connection with the first externaldevice if the first user input corresponds to the first external device;establish, using the communication circuitry, the wireless connectionwith the second external device if the first user input corresponds tothe second external device; receive a second user input via at least onekey of the one or more keys; if the wireless connection is establishedwith the first external device, transmit a signal corresponding to thesecond user input to the first external device such that a first commandis to be performed by the first external device based at least in parton the signal; and if the wireless connection is established with thesecond external device, transmit the signal corresponding to the seconduser input to the second external device such that a second command isto be performed by the second external device based at least in part onthe signal.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor isadapted to: if another wireless connection using the communicationcircuitry exists between the apparatus and other external device of thefirst external device and the second external device that is notselected, release the other wireless connection in response to the firstuser input.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an outputdevice, wherein the processor is adapted to: present, via the outputdevice, content received from the corresponding external device of thefirst external device and the second external device.